Seasonal Tips for Spring

POISON PREVENTION TIPS FOR SPRING
As you begin spring cleaning and work on the yard…
HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS AND OTHER CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
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Keep poisons in the containers they came in. Do not use food containers (such as cups or bottles) to mix or store
household cleaners or yard chemicals. Sometimes the poison center receives calls because someone just drank
what they thought was a ‘beverage’ but it turned out to be ‘a poison’ because it was improperly stored. Don’t let
this happen to you. Store chemicals and cleaners away from food. Many poisonings occur when one product is
mistaken for another.
-Read and follow directions before using products every time they are used.
-Never mix cleaners because poisonous gases can be created. For example, mixing an acid toilet bowl cleaner with
bleach will make very irritating chlorine fumes that might cause serious breathing problems. Make sure to ventilate
the area in which you are working by opening a door or window and using an exhaust fan.
-Hydrocarbon liquids are poisonous.
They are liquids made from petroleum. Some common products include
gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, baby oil, lamp oil, tiki torch oil, and furniture polish.
If hydrocarbons are swallowed, they can easily cause coughing and get into the lungs. Even a small amount
can cause breathing problems and chemical pneumonia.
-Keep chemicals, cleaners, and hydrocarbon liquids in the original containers, with the cap on tight, and locked
away from children and pets.
PESTICIDES
-Pesticides (pest killers) and Herbicides (weed killers) can be extremely poisonous if taken in through the skin,
inhaled, or swallowed.
-Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, shoes and gloves when using pesticides and herbicides.
Remove and wash clothing when finished.
-Stay away from areas where pesticides have been sprayed until the spray has dried or for at least one hour.
-Wash off children and pets (especially their nose and paws) after they have been in grass that was recently
sprayed with chemicals.
MUSHROOMS AND PLANTS
-Teach children to never put mushrooms, berries or any part of a plant into their mouths.
-Know the names of flowers and plants growing in and around your yard. Refer to the Toxic and Non Toxic Plant list
for more information in the Resource Center at www.missouripoisoncenter.org.
Education is key to prevention. The Missouri Poison Center welcomes teachers, child care providers, scout leaders,
EMS providers and other community educators to use these free resources to teach about poison safety.
MISSOURI BE POISON SMART!
POISON CENTER
1-800-222-1222
A Program of SSM Cardinal Glennon
KEEP POISONOUS PRODUCTS
OUT OF SIGHT & OUT OF REACH.
WWW.MISSOURIPOISONCENTER.ORG
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